Impact and Usage of Social Media Among the Post Graduate Students of Arts in Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India

Review Of Literature

According to Shivarama Rao, K. Subangi, M. C. and Malhan (2019), social software in the Web 2.0 world not only enhances the practical usability in the library but also helps the diminishing librarian’s role through value addition to profession itself. In this paper, select cases of social academic networks are described and different perspectives have been given on how academic libraries are participating in this massive social networking drive. Also, an attempt has been made to analyze social media presence of select Indian academic libraries.

A new information landscape is evolving where people largely access information and share ideas from hand held devices and making increasing use of mobile apps and social media tools for their convenience. This new information landscape is shaped by emergence of new web technologies, a variety of knowledge management and data analytic tools and content management software. It offers more convenience and saving of time for new generation of information users. Generation ‘Y’ is now using Facebook as an alternative to email (E Botha, M Farshid & L Pitt, 2011). And “social networks are now growing with mobile technology that has significantly changed the way in which people stay connected” (Shim et al., 2011). Worldwide, there are over 2.32 billion monthly active users (MAU) of Facebook as of December 31, 2018. This is a 9 percent increase in Facebook MAUs year over year1.52 billion people on average log onto Facebook daily and are considered daily active users (Facebook DAU) for December 2018 (Zephoria, 2019). Institutions require conforming to popular ways of information access for delivery of content.

(Odede Israel,2019) The least used social networking site as indicated by the students is My Space. As regards to the purpose of using social networking sites, the findings indicates that private messaging, photo upload and video sharing were the main purposes for which the students use social networking sites. It is important to state that this study was conducted in a single academic institution; therefore, findings may not be applicable and reasonable to be generalized on all academic institutions. However, students’ motivation that will enable students use varieties of social networking sites is highly recommended. In conclusion, students should also be motivated to use social networking sites as platforms for academic discussions such as for assignment and other course related works as well as receive and send academic information among their peers.